Aitchgeye

In Australia, the $1 deal offer has crashed their site. Just realized that it only applies to select cruises. so it does give the $1 option on a cruise that I like in June 25. Oh well.

Hi all, When cruising, I am quite happy drinking water supplied in the Lido beverages area. I understand that this water has been generated from seawater, filtered and treated (reverse osmosis?). Now the issue is that we will be cruising in October from Yokohama, sailing past the Fukushima nuclear power plant where they recently discharged mega litres of treated waste water into the Pacific. What are the consequences for passengers? I don’t think reverse osmosis will remove radioactivity. am I panicking unnecessarily? Helen

With me, the site briefly opens the $1 page, and then the algorithm must see that we have an Aussie IP address and so off it goes.

Just recently we purchased the 4 bottle, cheapest package and we were able to keep the bottles at the MDR, and the waiter at the Tamerind fetched a bottle for us when we dined there, no problem. The waiters even swapped one of the bottles (white) for a red. No issues if you ask nicely.

As do I😉

Love using Google Translate, google maps is also terrific! I use my regular compass to help orientate myself to directions in new places.

I am interested in your blog, as I hope to travel from Australia to Vancouver. But in the meantime, people following the blog may be interested in travelling independently in Melbourne. Melbourne '"Downtown" is near the port and accessible by tram- need a Myki card Attend an Australian Football League game at the MCG (preferably) or other venues. Visit the Botanic Gardens, National Gallery of Victoria, Victoria Market (food and souvenirs) Day trips- accessible by train Visit Ballarat or Bendigo- train travel in Victoria is super cheap, and you can purchase Myki cards at Southern Cross station. Ballarat is known for Sovereign Hill, and also has a decent wildlife park. Get a taxi when you get there. Bendigo is a lovely gold mining town, that is beautiful to walk around. The Great Ocean Road trip is awesome, but if you choose to complete the whole circuit that includes Port Campbell it will be a long and rushed day. Consider hiring a car, and travelling just to Lorne and back. Over Easter this journey will be very very slow due to vacationers heading to the coast.

Hey, interesting following your journey and comments. Just wondering, could you take the japanese mixed alcoholic beverages on board. Last time we were in Japan, you could purchase 'mixed drinks'at 7/11 type stores. This possibly be a cost saving measure for us Aussies. Helen

From our experience last year when our flight was delayed, we were ticketed onto the next available QA flight which in our instance was hours later. I would suggest giving yourself a three hour transfer time. Helen

Thanks, desperate times lead to desperate measures (I have neck problems). I even asked the cabin steward if I could buy this pillow. You can guess the answer. H

Thanks, Hank for your updates. Hopefully they will have more live entertainment options when we sail in October. I must admit last year, DH and I enjoyed the movies that are available in our cabin.

I loved their pillows when we travelled on the Eurodam last year. 100% polyester. I even took a photo of the details of the manufacturer- ‘Sobel Westex- www.sobelwestex.com’. At the time, the manufacturer did not ship internationally. Oh well, we are leaving for Canada soon so I may be able to find a way to buy one over there. Helen

Also, I bring my own fork because I am a messy in using chopsticks. Some Japanese cafes do not have forks to cater for us foreigners.

Also, HAL does not acknowledge educators who work in other countries, like Australia. Maybe HAL do not have processes to validate our teacher registration details, or maybe we are too small of a customer base for them to care otherwise. Helena